Over a million council workers have been offered a two-year pay deal from next April, worth 1% a year for most employees.

The majority of workers - those on salaries starting at £17,714 - would receive an uplift of 1% on April 1 2016 and a further 1% on April 1 2017, with those on lower salaries receiving higher increases to take account of the new National Living Wage.

The national employers, who negotiate pay on behalf of 350 local authorities in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, made the offer to unions today.

Councillor Sian Timoney, chairwoman of the employers' side, said: "Despite the challenges now facing local authorities following the Spending Review and new National Living Wage, there is a broad consensus among councils that there should be a pay offer to staff this year.

"This offer balances our commitment to increase the pay of our hard-working employees with the responsibility we have to address the ongoing financial pressures we face.

"We believe that this is a fair deal for employees, given the limits of what we can afford, and a fair deal for the taxpayers and residents who use and pay for the vital services which local government provides."

Justin Bowden, of the GMB union, said: "GMB will be issuing full details of the offer to members. We will then seek initial feedback at a national meeting of representatives to be held on 7 January 2016.

"This meeting will decide the GMB stance on the proposals before giving all members a vote in a ballot on the offer."

Unison's head of local government, Heather Wakefield, said: "Unison's national joint council committee will meet on Monday to consider the full details of the LGA's pay offer. The committee will then decide the basis of the union's consultation with members.

"The three NJC unions - Unison , Unite and GMB - will meet in February to consider the outcome of their respective consultation processes and to decide next steps."

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